What is your Purpose in Life?
1. Take out a blank sheet of paper or open up a word processor where you can type (I prefer the latter because it’s faster).
2. Write at the top, “What is my true purpose in life?”
3. Write an answer (any answer) that pops into your head. It doesn’t have to be a complete sentence. A short phrase is fine.
4. Repeat step 3 until you write the answer that makes you cry. This is your purpose.
- Goal setting is a powerful process for thinking about your ideal future, and for motivating yourself to turn this vision of the future into reality.
- By knowing precisely what you want to achieve, you know where you have to concentrate your efforts.
- You'll also quickly spot the distractions that would otherwise lure you from your course.
What are the things that you do to achieve your Goals in Life?
· Deciding what is important for you to achieve in your life.
· Separating what is important from what is irrelevant, or a distraction.
· Motivating yourself.
· Building your self-confidence, based on successful achievement of goals.
If you don't already set goals, do so, starting now. As you make this technique part of your life, you'll find your career accelerating, and you'll wonder how you did without it!
Do you separate your purpose in Life into Spiritual and secular?
Is the kingdom of Heaven part of your Goal?
When a Jewish young man wished to marry a particular young woman, it was customary for the prospective groom's father first to approach the girl's father with the proposal of marriage. The two men would discuss this possible union including the price offered by the groom for the bride. If the girl's father agreed to the suggested amount, the two men sealed the agreement with a toast of wine.
The potential bride then entered the room whereupon the prospective groom proclaimed his love and asked her to be his bride. If the young woman wished to be his wife, she accepted his proposal at this time. The validation of the agreement made by the engaged couple was the presentation of a gift by the groom. He offered it in the presence of at least two witnesses. As he gave the gift, usually a ring, he said to his intended bride, "Behold you are consecrated unto me with this ring according to the laws of Moses and Israel."
Arrangements were also made right then concerning the terms of the marriage. A written contract listed the time, place, and size of the wedding as well as recording the dowry and terms of maintenance of the marriage. This binding document called a "ketubah" was kept in the bride's possession until the consummation of the marriage. Finally, this first part of a two-part ceremony was concluded by the toast of a glass of wine. The whole ceremony was called the "Shiddukhin," or engagement.
The Bible refers to the status of the prospective bride and groom as "espousal" or "betrothal." It meant that the two people were committed to each other as much as a married couple would be. The only parts of the marriage not yet completed were the formal "huppah" ceremony followed by their physical union. This betrothal was considered so binding that the only way to break it was by an actual bill of divorcement.
The groom then departed, but not before he assured his bride with the promises of building a home for her and returning to complete the marriage ceremony. He usually took a year to prepare her new home which often consisted of an addition built onto his own father's house.
The bride was expected to remain true to her groom as she prepared herself and her trousseau. She lived for the day of his return for her which would be heralded by a shout from the members of the wedding party. The impending return of her groom was to influence the bride's behavior during this interim espousal period.
The typical Jewish wedding took place at night. As soon as any members of the wedding spotted the moving torches signaling the groom's approach, their cry echoed through the streets, "The bridegroom is coming." The Wycliffe Bible Encyclopedia tells us, "Mirth and gladness announced their approach to townspeople waiting in houses along the route to the bride's house." Upon hearing the announcement, the excited bride would drop everything in order to slip into her wedding dress and complete her final personal preparations for marriage.
Rather than the groom entering the bride's house, the bride came out to meet him. The two, accompanied by their wedding party, returned together to the groom's home for the marriage ceremony. Following the public ceremony, the newlyweds entered their bridal chamber to be intimate with each other for the first time. After this union, the groom came out and announced to the wedding guests, "Our marriage is consummated."
Matthew 25
The Parable of the Ten Virgins
1 “At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 3 The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. 4 The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. 5 The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.
| Parable | Analogy |
| Bridegroom | Jesus |
| Bridesmaid – non committed/unmarried friends | non disciples but Jews (Jews are chosen people) |
| Bride – committed to the groom | Church-disciples |
| Light | Expression of the fruits/manifestation of a true disciples life |
| Oil | Holy spirit |
| Lamp | Living vessel 14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matt5 |
| Jar | Ones openness to the holy spirit |
| Wise bridesmaid | - who are looking with eagerness to the coming of Christ. - They have faith and have determined that whatever occurs, be it lengthy time or adverse circumstances, - when Jesus returns, they will be looking with eagerness. |
| Foolish virgins | - false believers who enjoy the benefits of the Christian community without true love for Christ. - They are more concerned about the party than about longing to see the bridegroom. - Their hope is that because they are associated with true believers (“give us some of your oil” of verse 8), - that will bring them into the kingdom at the end. |
| Give me some oil | - One person’s faith in Jesus cannot save another |
| Parable | Christian |
| What is the purpose of the bridesmaids? | What is your purpose in Life? |
| What’s the goal of the bridesmaids? | What is your goal in Life? |
| What measures should the bridesmaid do to achieve their goals? | What measures should you do to achieve your goal? |
| What are the effects if these measures were not properly done? | What are the effects if you have not followed the things that you plan to do to achieve your goal? |
| What are the results if these measures are properly followed? | What are the results if you have followed your plans to achieve your desired goal? |
| End result of failed goal and purpose? | End result of failed goal and purpose? |
| End result of achieving the goals and purpose of a bridesmaid? | End result of achieving the goals and purpose in Life? |
a. KNOWING YOUR PURPOSE: reminding (accountability)
"Success is knowing your purpose in life, growing in that purpose and sowing seeds that benefit others!" Dr. John C. Maxwell
36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’[a] 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[b] 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
6 in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.[a]
- Being godly is not just serving in church fulltime and leave your work, but in your work, in all that you do, do it with excellence by glorifying God….
Matthew 28:19-20
19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Primary Purpose
- Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.
- in all your ways submit to him
Secondary Purpose
- Love your neighbor as yourself.
- Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you
Third
- Remain Faithful and await for his coming,
STAYING ON THE RIGHT TRACT:
(5) Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified.
BUT DON’T THINK LONG
FOCUS, PERSEVERE and APPRECIATE
Philippians 3
14I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Acts 20:24
24However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.
- Being ready means preparing for whatever contingency arises in our lives and keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus at all times while we eagerly await His coming.
- As seen in the fact that all the virgins were sleeping when the call came indicates that:
- it doesn’t matter what we are doing when Christ returns.
- We may be working, eating, sleeping, or pursuing leisure activities.
- Whatever it is, we must be doing it in such a way that we don’t have to “make things right” (get more oil) when He comes.
2. PERSEVERE
2 Thessalonians 2
13 But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you as firstfruits[b] to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. 14He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
15 So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the teachings[c] we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.
The word “despite off”, Plays a big role!!!
- Difficulties in life
- Success in life
- Trials in life
- Abundance in life
- Persecutions
- Struggles
May we not be found “going away to make the purchase” (v. 10) when Christ returns. Take the time now to fill your lamp with oil and take extra along. Keep waiting and watching with joy and anticipation.
3. APPRECIATE what GOD has done for you
**Story of Appreciation**
One young academically excellent person went to apply for a managerial position in a big company.
He passed the first interview, the director did the last interview, made the last decision.
The director discovered from the CV that the youth's academic achievements were excellent all the way, from the secondary school until the postgraduate research, never had a year when he did not score.
The director asked, "Did you obtain any scholarships in school?" the youth answered "none".
The director asked, " Was it your father who paid for your school fees?" The youth answered, "My father passed away when I was one year old, it was my mother who paid for my school fees.
The director asked, " Where did your mother work?" The youth answered, "My mother worked as clothes cleaner. The director requested the youth to show his hands. The youth showed a pair of hands that were smooth and perfect.
The director asked, " Have you ever helped your mother wash the clothes before?"
The youth answered, "Never, my mother always wanted me to study and read more
books. Furthermore, my mother can wash clothes faster than me.
The director said, "I have a request. When you go back today, go and clean your
mother's hands, and then see me tomorrow morning.*
The youth felt that his chance of landing the job was high. When he went back, he happily requested his mother to let him clean her hands. His mother felt strange, happy but with mixed feelings, she showed her hands to the kid.
The youth cleaned his mother's hands slowly. His tear fell as he did that. It was the first time he noticed that his mother's hands were so wrinkled, and there were so many bruises in her hands. Some bruises were so painful that his mother shivered when they were cleaned with water.
This was the first time the youth realized that it was this pair of hands that washed the clothes everyday to enable him to pay the school fee. The bruises in the mother's hands were the price that the mother had to pay for his graduation, academic excellence and his future.
After finishing the cleaning of his mother hands, the youth quietly washed all the remaining clothes for his mother.
That night, mother and son talked for a very long time.
Next morning, the youth went to the director's office.
The Director noticed the tears in the youth's eyes, asked: " Can you tell me
what have you done and learned yesterday in your house?"
The youth answered, " I cleaned my mother's hand, and also finished cleaning all
the remaining clothes'
The Director asked, " please tell me your feelings."
The youth said,
Number 1, I know now what is appreciation. Without my mother, there would not be the successful me today.
Number 2, by working together and helping my mother, only I now realize how difficult and tough it is to get something done.
Number 3, I have come to appreciate the importance and value of family relationship.
The director said, " This is what I am looking for to be my manager.
I want to recruit a person who can:
- appreciate the help of others,
- a person who knows the sufferings of others to get things done,
- and a person who would not put money as his only goal in life.
You are hired.
Later on, this young person worked very hard, and received the respect of his
subordinates. Every employee worked diligently and as a team. The company's
performance improved tremendously.
- Do you know your purpose in life
- Have you chosen where you want to go in life.
- Do you know now precisely what you want to achieve,
- Do you know where you have to concentrate your efforts.
- Have you spotted the distractions that would otherwise lure you from your course.
- Have you decided what is important for you to achieve in your life.?
- Have you separated what is important from what is irrelevant, or a distraction.
- I hope this has motivated you, is knowing your goal motivated you
- Is your self confidence starting to build, based on successful achievement of goals.
AT THE END OF THE DAY WOULDN’T IT BE GREAT THAT YOU WOULD BE ABLE TO SAY….
"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." (4:7)
AND HEAR……
"Well done, good and faithful servant.... Enter into the joy of your master." (Matthew 25:21, RSV)
- Don’t want to hear:
o I am convicted by the message
o I am touched by the message
o The message has brought a new meaning in life
- And then;
o you can’t even remember this after a few days
o you did not head and apply it your daily lives
o there is no change in your life
What I want is to see:
- is a change in the disciples life
- trying to apply the lessons learned
I prefer a light, a fruit rather than something that comes out from the mouth and meant nothing….
